Nick Lardis has "bigger goals" for 2026-27

Nick Lardis was one of the exciting prospects to make his NHL debut last season. Considering he was coming from a 71-goal season in the OHL, the thought of translating some of that offense for a Chicago Blackhawks team that needed it. He was also productive with the Rockford IceHogs (32 points in 35 games), which inspired more confidence.

Head coach Jeff Blashill said after Lardis was recalled from Rockford in December, "I think he's a pretty smart player... he's got a really good shot. He's been down there; just (from) talking to Jared Nightingale, he's done a good job at both sides of the puck. So, you know, I think he's somebody that ultimately, we're hoping can become an offensive guy at the NHL level, and we're not expecting that to just blossom right away. But can he give us a little bit of offensive punch? That'd be great.”

His development in his rookie year seemed to shift from his offense to his overall game. So, his storyline for 2026-27 will come back around to his offense.

How Lardis developed in 2025-26

Lardis came up to the Blackhawks when Connor Bedard was dealing with a shoulder injury. He played a lot on the third line with Oliver Moore, as they had chemistry from playing together in Rockford.

He eventually got reps in the top six, but there was controversy along the way because Lardis was sent back to Rockford toward the end of January, and when he returned to the Blackhawks in March, Lardis played on the fourth line. Blashill wanted him to demand more minutes and wanted to see his depth. But with his offensive skill, it felt like he wasn't being utilized correctly.

But Lardis talked in exit interviews about what he learned playing in a fourth-line role, "Yeah, I think it helps. I mean, I think, obviously, it motivated me too to want to play up in the lineup, and I thought I learned a lot playing in different roles. Whether it's being more responsible, being more of a two-way player. I think that helped my game a lot, just be more consistent at that."

Lardis had 10 goals and 15 points in 44 games last season, and Blashill commended Lardis for what he showed compared to when he was first recalled: "I can't necessarily say that there's been, like a call-up to call-up big growth. I think it's been more the process of him having that confidence in putting himself in those spots where he can be successful. I think, certainly, the last few games, you can see his confidence grow. And with that growth comes the ability to kind of utilize his skill set. So, he's a smart, smart player with a good skill set, you know, who's going to put work in the summer with his body. But he's a smart player that when he's playing with that confidence, he's a good player.”

All eyes on the goals

The stat everyone is following with Lardis is the 10 goals. So is Lardis. He said during exit interviews, "Yeah, I mean, it helps for sure. Brings a lot more confidence into the summer. But, I mean, I'm not going to think about it too much, honestly. Like, I still believe in myself that I could be a great goal scorer in this league. And, like I said, it helps with confidence going into the summer. But next year, I have bigger goals. And, yeah, just motivates me more to want to keep getting better to have more than 10 next year."

Lardis talked about wanting to improve on his "overall strength" this summer, but he also got a good crash course throughout the season. Tyler Bertuzzi said, "Yeah, he's been really good. He battles hard for a smaller guy. He's physical, and he gets in on the forecheck, and obviously he can score goals. That's what he does. So I've been enjoying playing with him, and it's good to see him doing good.”

For the final 13 games of the season, he was a top-six player, including playing with Bedard for nine of them.

He will likely find himself in the top-six again with Bedard out to start next season.

Overall, just from a goal-scoring perspective, he might be one of the most skilled on the Blackhawks. The 21 year old took his time in the top six, bottom six, and power play in stride. If he comes back stronger, eclipsing 10 goals feels inevitable.

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